The moment he cast his eyes on the forty trays, full of the most
precious and beautiful jewels he had ever seen, and the fourscore
slaves, who appeared by the elegance of their persons, and the
magnificence of their dress, like so many princes, he was overwhelmed.
Instead of answering the compliment of Aladdin's mother, he addressed
himself to the grand vizier, who could not any more than the sultan
comprehend from whence such a profusion of richness could come. "Well,
vizier," said he aloud, "who do you think it can be that has sent me so
extraordinary a present? Do you think him worthy of the Princess
Badroulboudour, my daughter?"
The vizier, notwithstanding his envy and grief at seeing a stranger
preferred to his son, durst not disguise his sentiments. It was too
visible that Aladdin's present was more than sufficient to merit his
being received into royal alliance; therefore, consulting his master's
feelings, he returned this answer: "I am so far from having any thoughts
that the person who has made your majesty so noble a present is unworthy
of the honour you would do him, that I should say he deserved much more,
if I were not persuaded that the greatest treasure in the world ought
not to be put in competition with the princess, your majesty's
daughter."
The sultan made no longer hesitation, nor thought of informing himself
whether Aladdin was endowed with all the qualifications requisite in one
who aspired to be his son-in-law. The sight alone of such immense
riches, and Aladdin's quickness in satisfying his demand, without
starting the least difficulty at the exorbitant conditions he had
imposed, easily persuaded him that he could want nothing to render him
accomplished, and such as he desired. Therefore, to send Aladdin's
mother back with all the satisfaction she could desire, he said to her:
"My good lady, go and tell your son that I wait with open arms to
embrace him, and the more haste he makes to come and receive the
princess, my daughter, from my hands, the greater pleasure he will do
me."
As soon as the tailor's widow had retired, overjoyed to see her son
raised to such exalted fortune, the sultan put an end to the audience;
and rising from his throne, ordered that the princess's eunuchs should
come and carry the trays into their mistress's apartment, whither he
went himself to examine them with her at his leisure. The fourscore
slaves were conducted into the palace; and the sultan, telling the
princess of their magnificent appearance, ordered them to be brought
before her apartment, that she might see through the lattices that he
had not exaggerated in his account of them.
In the meantime, Aladdin's mother got home, and shewed in her
countenance the good news she brought her son. "My son," said she to
him, "you have now all the reason in the world to be pleased. The
sultan, with the approbation of the whole court, has declared that you
are worthy to possess the Princess Badroulboudour, and waits to embrace
you, and conclude your marriage; therefore, you must think of making
preparations for your interview, which may answer the high opinion he
has formed of your person."
Aladdin, enraptured with this news, made little reply, but retired to
his chamber. There, after he had rubbed the lamp, which had never failed
him, the obedient genie appeared. "Genie," said Aladdin, "I want to
bathe immediately, and you must afterward provide me the richest and
most magnificent habit ever worn by a monarch." No sooner were the words
out of his mouth than the genie rendered him invisible, and transported
him into a bath of the finest marble, where he was undressed, without
seeing by whom, in a magnificent and spacious hall. From the hall he was
led to the bath, which was of a moderate heat, and he was there rubbed
with various scented waters. After he had passed through several degrees
of heat, he came out quite a different man from what he was before. His
skin was clear white and red, his body lightsome and free; and when he
returned into the hall, he found, instead of his own, a suit the
magnificence of which astonished him. The genie helped him to dress, and
when he had done, transported him back to his own chamber, where he
asked him if he had any other commands? "Yes," answered Aladdin, "I
expect you to bring me as soon as possible a charger that surpasses in
beauty and goodness the best in the sultan's stables, with a saddle,
bridle, and other caparisons worth a million of money. I want also
twenty slaves, as richly clothed as those who carried the present to the
sultan, to walk by my side, and twenty more to go before me in two
ranks. Besides these, bring my mother six women slaves to attend her, as
richly dressed at least as any of the Princess Badroulboudour's, each
carrying a complete dress fit for any sultaness. I want also ten
thousand pieces of gold in ten purses; go, and make haste."
As soon as Aladdin had given these orders, the genie disappeared, but
presently returned with the horse, the forty slaves, ten of whom carried
each a purse containing ten thousand pieces of gold, and six women
slaves, each carrying on her head a different dress for Aladdin's
mother, wrapped up in a piece of silver tissue.
Of the ten purses Aladdin took four, which he gave to his mother,
telling her, those were to supply her with necessaries; the other six he
left in the hands of the slaves who brought them, with an order to throw
them by handfuls among the people as they went to the sultan's palace.
The six slaves who carried the purses he ordered likewise to march
before him, three on the right hand and three on the left. Afterward he
presented the six women slaves to his mother, telling her that they were
her slaves, and that the dresses they had brought were for her use.
When Aladdin had thus settled matters, he told the genie he would call
for him when he wanted him, and thereupon the genie disappeared.
Aladdin's thoughts now were only upon answering, as soon as possible,
the desire the sultan had shewn to see him. He despatched one of the
forty slaves to the palace, with an order to address himself to the
chief of the porters, to know when he might have the honour to come and
throw himself at the sultan's feet. The slave soon acquitted himself of
his commission, and brought for answer that the sultan waited for him
with impatience.
Aladdin immediately mounted his charger, and though he never was on
horseback before, appeared with such extraordinary grace, that the most
experienced horseman would not have taken him for a novice. The streets
through which he was to pass were almost instantly filled with an
innumerable concourse of people, who made the air echo with their
acclamations, especially every time the six slaves who carried the
purses threw handfuls of gold among the populace. Neither did these
shouts of joy come from those alone who scrambled for the money, but
from a superior rank of people, who could not forbear applauding
Aladdin's generosity. Not only those who knew him when he played in the
streets like a vagabond did not recollect him, but those who saw him but
a little while before hardly recognised him, so much were his features
altered: such were the effects of the lamp, as to procure by degrees to
those who possessed it perfections suitable to the rank to which the
right use of it advanced them. Much more attention was paid to Aladdin's
person than to the pomp and magnificence of his attendants, as a similar
show had been seen the day before, when the slaves walked in procession
with the present to the sultan. Nevertheless, the horse was much admired
by good judges, who knew how to discern his beauties, without being
dazzled by the jewels and richness of his furniture. When the report was
everywhere spread that the sultan was going to give the princess in
marriage to Aladdin, nobody regarded his birth, nor envied his good
fortune, so worthy he seemed of it in the public opinion.
When he arrived at the palace, everything was prepared for his
reception; and when he came to the gate of the second court, he would
have alighted from his horse, agreeably to the custom observed by the
grand vizier, the commander-in-chief of the empire, and governors of
provinces of the first rank; but the chief of the mace-bearers, who
waited on him by the sultan's order, prevented him, and attended him to
the grand hall of audience, where he helped him to dismount. The
officers formed themselves into two ranks at the entrance of the hall.
The chief put Aladdin on his right hand, and through the midst of them
led him to the sultan's throne.
As soon as the sultan perceived Aladdin, he was no less surprised to see
him more richly and magnificently habited than ever he had been himself,
than struck at his good mien, fine shape, and a certain air of
unexpected dignity, very different from the meanness of his mother's
late appearance.
But, notwithstanding, his amazement and surprise did not hinder him from
rising off his throne, and descending two or three steps, quickly enough
to prevent Aladdin's throwing himself at his feet. He embraced him with
all possible demonstrations of joy at his arrival. After this civility
Aladdin would have thrown himself at his feet again; but he held him
fast by the hand, and obliged him to sit close to the throne.
Aladdin then addressed the sultan, saying: "I receive the honour which
your majesty out of your great condescension is pleased to confer; but
permit me to assure you that I know the greatness of your power, and
that I am not insensible how much my birth is below the lustre of the
high rank to which I am raised. I ask your majesty's pardon for my
rashness, but I cannot dissemble that I should die with grief were I to
lose my hopes of seeing myself united to the divine princess who is the
object of my wishes."
"My son," answered the sultan, embracing him a second time, "you would
wrong me to doubt for a moment of my sincerity: your life from this
moment is too dear to me not to preserve it, by presenting you with the
remedy which is at my disposal."
After these words, the sultan gave a signal, and immediately the air
echoed with the sound of trumpets, hautboys, and other musical
instruments: and at the same time he led Aladdin into a magnificent
hall, where was laid out a most splendid collation. The sultan and
Aladdin ate by themselves, while the grand vizier and the great lords of
the court, according to their dignity and rank, sat at different tables.
The conversation turned on different subjects; but all the while the
sultan took so much pleasure in looking at his intended son-in-law, that
he hardly ever took his eyes off him; and throughout the whole of their
conversation Aladdin shewed so much good sense, as confirmed the sultan
in the high opinion he had formed of him.
After the feast, the sultan sent for the chief judge of his capital, and
ordered him to draw up immediately a contract of marriage between the
Princess Badroulboudour, his daughter, and Aladdin.
When the judge had drawn up the contract in all the requisite forms, the
sultan asked Aladdin if he would stay in the palace, and solemnise the
ceremonies of marriage that day; to which he answered: "Sir, though
great is my impatience to enjoy your majesty's goodness, yet I beg of
you to give me leave to defer it till I have built a palace fit to
receive the princess; therefore I petition you to grant me a convenient
spot of ground near your abode, that I may the more frequently pay my
respects, and I will take care to have it finished with all diligence."
"Son," said the sultan, "take what ground you think proper, there is
space enough on every quarter round my palace; but consider, I cannot
see you too soon united with my daughter, which alone is wanting to
complete my happiness." After these words he embraced Aladdin again, who
took his leave with as much politeness as if he had been bred up and had
always lived at court.
Aladdin returned home in the order he had come, amidst the acclamations
of the people, who wished him all happiness and prosperity. As soon as
he dismounted, he retired to his own chamber, took the lamp, and called
the genie as before, who in the usual manner made him a tender of his
service. "Genie," said Aladdin, "I have every reason to commend your
exactness in executing hitherto punctually whatever I have demanded; but
now, if you have any regard for the lamp, your protector, you must shew,
if possible, more zeal and diligence than ever. I would have you build
me, as soon as you can, a palace opposite, but at a proper distance
from, the sultan's, fit to receive my spouse, the Princess
Badroulboudour. I leave the choice of the materials to you, that is to
say, porphyry, jasper, agate, lapis lazuli, or the finest marble of
various colours, and also the architecture of the building. But I expect
that on the terraced roof of this palace you will build me a large hall
crowned with a dome, and having four equal fronts; and that instead of
layers of bricks, the walls be formed of massy gold and silver, laid
alternately: that each front shall contain six windows, the lattices of
all of which (except one, which must be left unfinished) shall be so
enriched in the most tasteful workmanship, with diamonds, rubies, and
emeralds, that they shall exceed anything of the kind ever seen in the
world. I would have an inner and outer court in front of the palace, and
a spacious garden; but above all things, take care that there be laid in
a place which you shall point out to me, a treasure of gold and silver
coin. Besides, the edifice must be well provided with kitchens and
offices, storehouses, and rooms to keep choice furniture in, for every
season of the year. I must have stables full of the finest horses, with
their equerries and grooms, and hunting equipage. There must be officers
to attend the kitchens and offices, and women slaves to wait on the
princess. You understand what I mean; therefore go about it, and come
and tell me when all is finished."
By the time Aladdin had instructed the genie respecting the building of
his palace, the sun was set. The next morning, before break of day, our
bridegroom, whose love for the princess would not let him sleep, was up,
when the genie presented himself and said: "Sir, your palace is
finished; come and see how you like it." Aladdin had no sooner signified
his consent, than the genie transported him thither in an instant, and
he found it so much beyond his expectation, that he could not enough
admire it. The genie led him through all the apartments, where he met
with nothing but what was rich and magnificent, with officers and slaves
all habited according to their rank and the services to which they were
appointed. The genie then shewed him the treasury, which was opened by a
treasurer, where Aladdin saw heaps of purses, of different sizes, piled
up to the top of the ceiling, and disposed in most excellent order. The
genie assured him of the treasurer's fidelity, and thence led him to the
stables, where he shewed him some of the finest horses in the world, and
the grooms busy in dressing them; from thence they went to the
storehouses, which were filled with all things necessary, both for food
and ornament.
When Aladdin had examined the palace from top to bottom, and
particularly the hall with the four and twenty windows, and found it
much beyond whatever he could have imagined, he said: "Genie, no one can
be better satisfied than I am; and indeed I should be much to blame if I
found any fault. There is only one thing wanting which I forgot to
mention; that is, to lay from the sultan's palace to the door of the
apartment designed for the princess, a carpet of fine velvet for her to
walk upon." The genie immediately disappeared, and Aladdin saw what he
desired executed in an instant. The genie then returned, and carried him
home before the gates of the sultan's palace were opened.
When the porters, who had always been used to an open prospect, came to
open the gates, they were amazed to find it obstructed, and to see a
carpet of velvet spread from the grand entrance. They did not
immediately look how far it extended, but when they could discern
Aladdin's palace distinctly, their surprise was increased. The news of
so extraordinary a wonder was presently spread through the palace. The
grand vizier, who arrived soon after the gates were open, being no less
amazed than others at this novelty, ran and acquainted the sultan, but
endeavoured to make him believe it to be all enchantment. "Vizier,"
replied the sultan, "why will you have it to be enchantment? You know as
well as I that it must be Aladdin's palace, which I gave him leave to
build, for the reception of my daughter. After the proof we have had of
his riches, can we think it strange that he should raise a palace in so
short a time? He wished to surprise us, and let us see what wonders are
to be done with money in only one night. Confess sincerely that the
enchantment you talk of proceeds from a little envy on account of your
son's disappointment."
When Aladdin had been conveyed home, and had dismissed the genie, he
found his mother up, and dressing herself in one of those suits which
had been brought her. By the time the sultan rose from the council,
Aladdin had prepared his mother to go to the palace with her slaves, and
desired her, if she saw the sultan, to tell him she should do herself
the honour toward evening to attend the princess to her palace.
Accordingly she went; but though she and the women slaves who followed
her were all dressed like sultanesses, yet the crowd was not near so
great as the preceding day, because they were all veiled, and each had
on an upper garment agreeable to the richness and magnificence of their
habits. Aladdin, taking care not to forget his wonderful lamp, mounted
his horse, left his paternal home forever, and went to the palace in the
same pomp as the day before.
As soon as the porters of the sultan's palace saw Aladdin's mother, they
went and informed the sultan, who immediately ordered the bands of
trumpets, cymbals, drums, fifes, and hautboys, placed in different parts
of the palace, to play, so that the air resounded with concerts which
inspired the whole city with joy: the merchants began to adorn their
shops and houses with fine carpets and silks, and to prepare
illuminations against night. The artisans of every description left
their work, and the populace repaired to the great space between the
royal palace and that of Aladdin; which last drew all their attention,
not only because it was new to them, but because there was no comparison
between the two buildings. But their amazement was to comprehend by what
unheard-of miracle so magnificent a palace could have been so soon
erected, it being apparent to all that there were no prepared materials,
or any foundations laid the day before.
Aladdin's mother was received in the palace with honour, and introduced
into the Princess Badroulboudour's apartment by the chief of the
eunuchs. As soon as the princess saw her, she rose, saluted, and desired
her to sit down on a sofa; and while her women finished dressing, and
adorning her with the jewels which Aladdin had presented to her, a
collation was served up. At the same time the sultan, who wished to be
as much with his daughter as possible before he parted with her, came in
and paid the old lady great respect. Aladdin's mother had talked to the
sultan in public, but he had never seen her with her veil off, as she
was then; and though she was somewhat advanced in years, she had the
remains of a good face, which showed what she had been in her youth. The
sultan, who had always seen her dressed very meanly, not to say poorly,
was surprised to find her as richly and magnificently attired as the
princess, his daughter. This made him think Aladdin equally prudent and
wise in whatever he undertook.
When it was night, the princess left her own apartment for Aladdin's
palace, with his mother on her left hand carried in a superb litter,
followed by a hundred women slaves, dressed with surprising
magnificence. All the bands of music, which had played from the time
Aladdin's mother arrived, being joined together, led the procession,
followed by a hundred state ushers, and the like number of black
eunuchs, in two files, with their officers at their head. Four hundred
of the sultan's young pages carried flambeaux on each side, which,
together with the illuminations of the sultan's and Aladdin's palaces,
made it as light as day.
At length the princess arrived at the new palace and Aladdin ran with
all imaginable joy to receive her at the grand entrance. His mother had
taken care to point him out to the princess, in the midst of the
officers who surrounded him, and she was charmed with his person.
"Adorable princess," said Aladdin, accosting her, and saluting her
respectfully, as soon as she had entered her apartment, "if I have the
misfortune to have displeased you by my boldness in aspiring to the
possession of so lovely a creature, I must tell you, that you ought to
blame your bright eyes and charms, not me." "Prince," answered the
princess, "I am obedient to the will of my father; and it is enough for
me to have seen you, to tell you that I obey without reluctance."
Aladdin, charmed with so agreeable an answer, would not keep the
princess standing; but took her by the hand, which he kissed with the
greatest demonstration of joy, and led her into a large hall,
illuminated with an infinite number of wax candles; where, by the care
of the genie, a noble feast was served up. The dishes were of massy
gold, and contained the most delicate viands, and all the other
ornaments and embellishments of the hall were answerable to this
display. The princess, dazzled to see so much riches, said to Aladdin:
"I thought, prince, that nothing in the world was so beautiful as the
sultan my father's palace, but the sight of this hall alone is
sufficient to shew I was deceived."
Then Aladdin led the princess to the place appointed for her, and as
soon as she and his mother were seated, a band of the most harmonious
instruments, accompanied with the voices of beautiful ladies, began a
concert, which lasted without intermission to the end of the repast. The
princess was so charmed, that she declared she had never heard anything
like it in the sultan her father's court; but she knew not that these
musicians were fairies chosen by the genie, the slave of the lamp.
When the supper was ended, there entered a company of female dancers,
who performed, according to the custom of the country, several figure
dances, singing at the same time verses in praise of the bride and
bridegroom. About midnight the happy pair retired to their apartments
and the nuptial ceremonies were at an end.
The next morning, when Aladdin arose, his attendants presented
themselves to dress him, and brought him another habit as magnificent as
that worn the day before. He then ordered one of the horses appointed
for his use to be got ready, mounted him, and went in the midst of a
large troop of slaves to the sultan's palace. The sultan received him
with the same honours as before, embraced him, placed him on the throne
near him, and ordered a collation. Aladdin said: "I beg your majesty
will dispense with my eating with you to-day; I came to entreat you to
take a repast in the princess's palace, attended by your grand vizier,
and all the lords of your court." The sultan consented with pleasure,
rose up immediately, and, preceded by the principal officers of his
palace, and followed by all the great lords of his court, accompanied
Aladdin.